NASCAR’s television landscape is undergoing a significant shift as the 2026 season progresses, with the sport’s broadcast rights moving from a consortium of networks to a focused partnership with NBC Sports and USA Network.
Under the new arrangement, every remaining Cup Series race will be shown across the two networks, ensuring that fans can follow the action from the opening events through the high‑stakes Chase playoffs.
Key Races on USA Network
USA Network will air ten races, covering ten of the final fourteen events, including the early‑season showdown at Iowa Speedway, the tight‑track battle at Richmond Raceway, and the historic Darlington Raceway. Additional dates feature New Hampshire Motor Speedway, World Wide Technology Raceway at Gateway, Bristol Motor Speedway, Kansas Speedway, Las Vegas Motor Speedway, the Charlotte Roval, and Phoenix Raceway.
NBC’s Flagship Events
NBC will broadcast four marquee races, headlined by the iconic Daytona International Speedway finale on August 29. The network will also carry the final three Chase events at Talladega Superspeedway, Martinsville Speedway, and Homestead‑Miami Speedway, giving viewers a mix of superspeedway drama and short‑track intensity.
Streaming for NBC’s coverage will be available through Peacock, the network’s premium service, where subscribers can watch live races and on‑demand replays. Peacock’s Standard and Premium tiers, both bundled with the B/R Sports add‑on, provide access to practice and qualifying sessions on truTV and HBO Max.
Fans who prefer traditional cable or satellite can tune in via providers such as DIRECTV, DISH Network, Xfinity HD, and Spectrum. Alternatively, live‑TV streaming platforms including Fubo, Hulu + Live TV, YouTube TV, Sling TV, and DirecTV Stream also carry USA Network, ensuring flexibility for cord‑cutters.
The schedule shift reflects a broader realignment of sports broadcasting, as NASCAR seeks to consolidate its audience across a smaller set of outlets while leveraging both linear television and digital platforms. This strategy aims to maximize viewership during the sport’s most competitive months and to provide advertisers with a premium, unified audience.
Practice and Qualifying Coverage
In a secondary but notable development, every NASCAR Cup Series practice and qualifying session during the second half of the season will be simulcast on truTV and HBO Max. HBO Max subscribers can access these sessions through either the Standard ($18.49/month) or Premium ($22.99/month) plans, both of which include the B/R Sports add‑on.
Overall, the new broadcast agreement underscores a pivotal moment for NASCAR, blending traditional network television with modern streaming options to reach a diverse, tech‑savvy fan base across the United States.